There are times when, come what may, the headlines of a game of football cling to a certain player. For reasons good or bad, one man stands out in the decisive moments — and so it was for Brazil international centre-back Dede in the Copa Libertadores quarterfinal that saw Cruzeiro fall to Boca Juniors 3-1
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The FC crew praise Arsenal for their eight-match unbeaten run, but caution that there are still issues defensively that need ironing out. The transfer window for all of Europe’s big five leagues is closed, but that doesn’t stop Transfer Talk from rummaging around about who will be moving where come January. Emery lining up Banega
Things change in the blink of an eye in football. The Football Whispers Index takes the latest transfer rumours and gives them a score out of five; the higher the score, the more realistic and reliable the Whisper. Here are today’s top five emerging whispers. And keep an eye on Transfer Talk for all the latest gossip.
Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane’s pace suits Jurgen Klopp’s high-pressing style of play perfectly. Managing a football team used to be rather straightforward. Managers were tasked with getting results — also known as the Golden Age of Jose Mourinho — without much, if any, concern about playing beautiful football. Style didn’t matter; three points did.
Bernard Mensah has backed his Asamoah Gyan’s return to the Ghana national team after his recent call-up for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Sierra Leone was questioned in some quarters. Gyan is part of a 23-man squad that will attempt to re-assert Ghana’s control in qualifying Group F, but he has barely
The lawyer of Ronaldo’s accuser gives an update on why the case against the footballer has been reopened. Cristiano Ronaldo was again left out of the Portugal squad on Thursday, this time for upcoming games against Poland and Scotland. Portugal coach Fernando Santos did not call up Ronaldo, the country’s World Cup captain, who has
A decision on whether the blackmail case involving former France teammates Mathieu Valbuena and Karim Benzema will be dropped is to be made early next month, a court in Paris ruled on Thursday. Real Madrid forward Benzema is one of six men facing charges linked to the alleged attempted extortion of Fenerbahce midfielder Valbuena over
The numbers behind Real Madrid’s current goal drought are more shocking than meets the eye. Both Manchester United and Real Madrid turn in disappointing showings on Matchday 2 of the Champions League group stage. Following their shock defeat at CSKA Moscow, the ESPN FC crew delve deeper into Real Madrid’s recent struggles to find the
France’s Didier Deschamps believes Paul Pogba is misunderstood by football fans who think he only cares about himself but that he actually plays to get the best for the team. After leading France to World Cup glory in Russia, Didier Deschamps has been named the Best FIFA Men’s Coach for 2018. France coach Didier Deschamps
LONDON — Maurizio Sarri said he hopes Alvaro Morata can “restart” his season after breaking his scoring duck in Chelsea’s 1-0 win over Vidi in the Europa League. Morata latched onto Willian’s flick-on from an inviting Cesc Fabregas cross in the 70th minute to poke the winning goal beyond Tomas Tujvel, having missed a gilt-edged